I like to peruse the international news headlines. Hey, I am not one of those arrogant Americans who thinks if it doesn’t happen on US soil, it’s not important. So, in this spirit, I bring you news from the
annual, three-day Russian Mosquito Festival which itches its way into the hearts of the people of Berezniki, Russia each summer.
Wait, you haven’t heard of this festival? Well, allow me to acquaint you with the most important part of this event which pays homage to an insect that the rest of the world views as dangerous, poisonous and for lack of a better scientific term—icky. Get ready for The Most Delicious Girl Contest.
Yes, the girls get eaten—by the bugs. This is how the contest goes. Females in shorts or somewhat revealing clothing compete to see who can receive the most love bites from the mosquitos. The reigning queen from the 2015 festival racked up a whopping 100 welts. The judges who usually include a doctor—because you know—that makes everything legit and safe—award the winner a crown. You would think she would get money or some kind of anti-viral drug treatment for putting herself through this, but I guess the title is its own best reward.
Growing in popularity, 3,000 people attended last summer’s event. And for those who didn’t take home the winning prize for most bug bites, the festival also offered the “Mosquito Legs” contest which awarded women who possess the skinniest of legs some trinket for their malnourished bodies. While I’m not trying to be the feminist of all feminists, I have to say that from an outsider and pro-mosquito repellant point of view, men in this region might have a teensy problem with the female sex.
The journalist in me is intrigued by this contest and festival—not enough to personally attend the next festival mind you—but intrigued. In the spirit of a hands-across-the-sea type thing, I tried to learn about the people of this region and what makes them host such a painful and maybe life-threatening event. After much research, I offer these conclusions:
- Russian Roulette has somehow lost its suspense-filled edge for these people
- The US should probably reconsider with whom they share the space station
And lastly,
- Russians have way too much access to vodka
For more Donna Cavanagh go here
I find it very odd, culture aside, that there is a contest built around getting bit from what is generally considered to be one of the worst deadly animals to human beings.
Sheesh, we have that festival every year and didn’t even know it — we just call it summer.
Yes, maybe they should see how the midwest deals with this stuff! They might not seem so tough.
So this is why I see so many picutres captioned with “Meanwhile in Russia…”
Maybe we should do a road trip? I’m not great at Geography but are you closest to go check it out?
This will probably be the last year of the contest. Since Zika is sexually transmitted now, biting without protection will be up there with gays in bathhouses.
All good things must come to an end.
This can be a fight or bite to the death between current champion, Zeka and an old favorite challenger, West Nile!
I guess these people don’t read the news or don’t get bugged out by it?
Puts a new slant on the phrase, “Bite me,” huh?
Exactly!!!
This would be really funny if you had made it up. I must be allergic to the reality of this absurd contest, I’m not even there and it’s making me itch.
Scary stuff right? Can’t believe it myself
I am staring at my screen in disbelief. I can not even imagine that this happens. Crazy. Dangerous.
Some people don’t care? That’s all I can surmise.
Sounds rash.
The crown goes, I suppose, to the skeeter feeder leader.
HA HA! Only you can come up with that one Bill!
This puts “all you can eat” on a whole different level…
Just a bad buffet though right? So scary!
Thanks for my education for the day Donna. I hope; however, they don’t continue this trend or next year, instead of a crown, the winner may receive a trophy made in the shape of a small headed baby named Zeka!
I was astounded by this. So many diseases come from mosquitoes and they celebrate it this way?